Page 301 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols 294
Planets

xing

In contrast to the constellations, the planets play no great part in Chinese mythology.
Five planets were known to the ancient Chinese astronomers, which meant that they
could be readily fitted into the extensive series of correspondences based on five.
Thus, a planet was associated with each of the five directions and with the attendant
colour. In only two cases is choice of colour apt: Mars is red and Venus white. Since
white is the colour of death, of the West and of autumn – i.e. of that season in which
nature begins to decay – Venus is the star of the West, where of course the planet is seen
at its most impressive as evening star. Venus is known as the ‘Big White One’ (tai bai)
and is associated with the male principle. Mars is associated with fire and the South.
It is also known as ‘Fire-star’ and as ‘Punishment of heaven’. Its appearance in the sky
heralds wars. Jupiter is associated with the East and with the element wood.
Mercury belongs to the North and water, and its symbolic colour is black.
Mercury is a symbol of the Empress. Lastly, Saturn is in the middle, and its colour is
that of the earth, i.e. yellow.

Plum

mei; li

Even before it has leaves, the plum-tree begins to blossom, the first tree in the spring to
do so. Admittedly, in the cold of North China, this is only possible if the tree is kept
under glass as a pot plant – which is what the Chinese do if they want the blossom to
appear in the ‘spring month’ of the old calendar (corresponding to our January/February).
The plum is described as ‘ice-skinned and jade-boned’ and is compared to a burgeoning
but as yet innocent girl. It represents winter and virginity.
‘In the corner of the wall, some twigs of plum blossom. Braving the frost, they bloom
quietly for themselves. Even from a distance, you can see that it is not snow. And from
somewhere a sweet perfume is wafted’ (Wang An-shi, 11th century, tr. Lessing).
The five petals symbolise the five gods of good luck. ‘Plum-blossom’ (mei-hua) is
a common term for the lady’s-maids and serving girls of former times: the term has a
connotation of sexual pleasure, as can be seen from its use to denote the cover on the
bridal bed – ‘Plum-blossom Cover’. But in a completely different context, ‘plum-
blossom’ also refers to a way of foretelling human fate, which is said to have been
developed by the philosopher Shao Yung (1011–77). A picture showing a scholar at his